Council gathering good ideas again

Friday, October 23, 2009

Bedford officials call for a lot of community meetings to discuss things and that is all to the good.

In recent months, for instance, the Economic Development Commission has held several meetings to gather opinions about everything from signs on local roads to water to traffic lights.

Now the Town Council is planning to hold a community meeting on cemetery rules and regulations, some of which have upset members of the public. Involved in that meeting — not date has been set yet — will be the town’s cemetery trustees, as they should be.

The issue here is new rules that went into effect on Feb. 25. For some reason, there have been a lot of complaints lately, particularly about that part of the regulation that allows only two containers of flowers on a grave lot, and permits special mementos to be left on a grave for only a month.

That, of course, necessitates the return to the grave sites of those who place the flowers and/or mementos, something that doesn’t seem to arduous, but apparently has caused some concern.

And the American Legion has an issue with the rule that restricts the size of American flags that can be placed upon graves and requires their removal after Veterans Day and not put back until 10 days prior to Memorial Day.

These are important small-town issues that need public discussion and the Town Council is making sure that the discussion takes place, just as the Economic Development Commission did with its issues.

We have nothing but praise for the way Bedford officials are dealing with things that are clearly important to their constituents. They seem more than willing to listen.

Now you have to do your part: Once the council schedules the meeting on cemetery regulations, you have to attend and speak your mind. If you don’t, don’t complain later if the council makes a decision you don’t like.